Is it live, or is it Memorex?

[audiogirl]

Having been involved in numerous situations in which music of some kind had to be played(school programs, banquets, weddings, proms, graduation ceremonies, church services, etc.) I truly think that often, a not-quite-as-good live performance of some piece of music is more effective and more moving than canned music. <P>I also think, as I have said somewhere before, that a live performance is more effective if you're trying to turn someone on to a kind of music with which he or she is not acquainted. Something Sir Stew said about performance was what prompted me to put this down as a topic. <P>My husband thinks I'm nuts. He would just as soon stay home and watch a musical event on TV, rather than be there for the live performance. <P>To me, the choice is pointedly clear, but I may just be terribly biased.<P>So, music lovers.......Do you prefer live.......or Memorex?

[Glenn Gould]

I prefer recorded music over concert-hall music, maybe it is becuase I am such a gould fanatic. However it may be of importance to note that when i was a child even, i always felt uncomfortable at a performance becuase i worried about the seating so much.<P>I remember at 14 seeing Itzhak Pearlman perform. Now i was rather disapointed when he performed Camille Saint-Saens, Dance Macabre becuase it didn't sound right from my seat. Matter-o-factly It was horrid. The whole concert didn't sound very good.<P>Memorex, or CD is better for me, it allows me to be comfortable and my emotions then flood through without hinderence. My mind and soul is entierely in the music and not distracted by all the things that can in a concert hall, so why do i still attend concerts? I have found the perfect seat.<P>Glenn

[BenG]

Audiogirl,<P>You've touched on an interesting topic here. I think live is much better. When I go to hear a live performance it is more satisfying because of the 'surprise' element. Even the flaws are interesting. The music becomes 'new' again.<P>Someone mentioned (on another thread) that he liked listening to classical music on the radio because it was more fun than CDs. Why? Because he didn't know what was going to be played next. He liked not knowing what he was going to hear.<P>People need that element of unpredictability to get them out of the robotic rut. My wife and I once saw a performance of "The King and I" when we were in New York City. I've seen the movie on TV many times but to see it 'live...' well, I'll never forget it. It was marvelous. The downside is I can't stand to watch it on TV anymore.<P>-BenG

[EJA_2]

Well, audiogirl, I hesitate to say anything lest I find myself once again enveloped in controversy, but I think a live performance can't be beat. Tapes hiss, and CD's only have 16 bits to describe the wave. I hear a whole lot more nuance in a live performance. Then there's all the human interaction involved in a live performance. An organ performance I heard as child comes to mind. It was the organists retirment performance, and he was good. It was just fantastic. Near the end of the performance he flubbed and had to stop mid-piece. He got angry with himself -- I think he was a perfectionist -- and threw a little fit on the stage. Then he resumed his performance and played beautifully once more. He was still mad at the end because we clapped until our hands were raw, and he still refused to play an encore. The page turner at length persuaded him to come out on stage and we applauded him at length. It was a pretty exciting experience for a 9 year old. Something you can't put on a CD.<P>Still, recordings are a lot more convenient. Probably laziness but I would say that I'm glad that most of the music I listen to is on a CD. On the other hand, it is nice to hear live occassionally. <P> -- EJA

[Glenn Gould]

While EJA is correct about the surprise element, we are so fortunate to have those things, for entertainment and joy value, I think an artist (like the organ player) strives for that flawless excecution, at least in their own perspective. It is unfair sometimes that a painter or writer are allowed to release the final product so to speak and we aren't an audience to sit through their missed words or whatnot. I prefer recordings, especially in the case of Gould becuase they are his final strokes, his paintings if you will.<P>Glenn

[audiogirl]

Hey, BenG.<P>I always liked "Showboat" (the movie) as a kid-----some of my favorite music. Then I saw it on stage. A guy named Michel Bell was "Joe" and I absolutely would not have believed that a bass voice could be that deep while sounding so smooth and devoid of noise. His rendition of "Old Man River" was heart-stopping. For a few moments after he finished this song, no one clapped. All that could be heard in the theatre (and I am not exaggerating) were sniffles, because so many folks were moved to tears. <P>Cloris Leachman's portrayal of "Parthy" was awesome as well.<P>The movie now pales in comparison.<BR>

[serge urtizberea]

As beautiful as the sound and experience of a live performance is, we have recording technology to thank for disseminating and dispersing the world of c.m. to anyone with a player and $20 to blow on a disc.

[ReedMan]

I hear a common thread - those that attend a live performance come away with vivid audio and visual memories. Try getting that from your audio system...

[barfle]

This is one heck of a question, and I'm having trouble deciding. I am very fortunate to have outstanding seats for the classic season of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra in Orange County, CA. Sometimes the performances aren't as wonderful as my recordings, sometimes I'm moved to tears and my only wish is that I had a recording of THAT performance so I could relive the moment. <P>Obviously, I spend a fair amount of money on the live performances, and I occasionally attend performances beyond my subscription. However, I find that I learn MORE music by being able to listen to recordings (from my own collection, or on the radio, or the web ) than I do by attending live performances. But, then again, before the live performances, we usually have a lecture on the music and I learn more ABOUT the music.<P>I guess I want to participate in the discussion, but I refuse to choose. I want them both!

[shostakovich]

Here's a little aside from Charles Ives, in whose day there was no memorex. He preferred performances by amateurs over professionals because of unpredictability. He loved "wrong notes".<BR>Shos

[Luegwig]

...and it showed.

[BenG]

Heard on the radio: An opinion from one of my favorite curmudgeons, H.L. Mencken. I can't remember what he said exactly, but the gist of it was he didn't particularly enjoy going to concerts. He didn't like sitting for long periods of time surrounded by people he didn't like and being subjected to music he didn't request. The 'professor' (conductor or music director) decided on what he should hear and he was stuck with the program and a possible bad performance.<P>Mencken's own words are far more amusing than my feeble recollection.<P>BenG

[EJA_2]

After all is said and done I'm still really glad that music can be recorded and played back at will. It makes a man's home so much more his castle when he is able to hear the music that he wishes to hear when he wishes to hear it. Thank God, and thank Thomas Edison!<P> -- EJA<p>[This message has been edited by EJA (edited 04-09-2001).]

[phatchet]

Ask any good engineer this question, and he'll tell you, "It depends." "On what?" one may retort. Well......<P>If you're at a live performance, it depends on your seat and - perhaps secondarily - the acoustical quality of your environment. I can think of no place I'd rather be than on the first or second row in the orchestra section watching "The Nutcracker." You'll miss some of the sublime sounds if you're 15 or 20 rows back. The flip side of that record (anybody remember those?) is where sitting on the second row of "amplified" performance requires earplugs to stay within prescribed OSHA limits.<P>The other big "it depends" depends on you - and your mood. Some of us need "alone time" to recharge, or just thinking, or maybe some time for romance with a special friend. Some of us use music to augment those times. In times like those, we need to thank the good Lord for giving us the knowledge for CD technology (or for Beethoven.com). Sorry, you just can't get those kind of times at a concert.<P>So I say let's all rejoice that we have the options to hear - up close and in person - the magic that a musical performance can bring, and then be able to walk to the lobby, plop down a $20, and take that performance home!<P>Hey, y'all - have a great day!<p>[This message has been edited by phatchet (edited 04-09-2001).]

[audiogirl]

Appreciate interesting replies. I have to admit I have been to some live performances in which I could have joyfully strangled the too-cool-for-classical person behind me who kept snickering and whispering about how "stupid" it was. Annoying and distractiing.<P>

[Glenn Gould]

Does anyone conduct imaginary symphonies, i do it all the time, i can't help myself. Just wondering if you do this. Also at a concert, do you sit still or move around? or does it depend on the performance?<P>Glenn

[EJA_2]

Yeah occassionally, but did anybody read about this conductor named Giovanni Impellizerri who accidentally stabbed his baton through his hand while conducting and opera in Stockholm recently? He said that he didn't feel a thing, but saw it and thought it looked wierd. He finished the performance got medical attention during intermission and continued conducting after the intermission. I couldn't help noting how close his last name was to "impale." <P> -- EJA<p>[This message has been edited by EJA (edited 04-11-2001).]

[treebeau]

Sort of like Jean-Baptiste Lully.<BR>This guy stabbed his foot with a cane while conducting. Gangrene set in and he died of that injury a few months later.<P>Regards,<BR>Tim B.<BR>

[ReedMan]

I recall a guest conductor who not only lost his baton during practice sessions - the woodwinds soon anticipated these moments, but he also sweat profusely and grossed out the poor flute section.

[audiogirl]

Reedee-<BR>Now, there you have a point. There are no unpleasant olfactory experiences if you listen at home!